Statement of Commitment Judith A. Winston General Counsel and Acting Under Secretary U.S. Department of Education

Since 1993, the Department of Education has demonstrated its commitment to improving employee satisfaction and customer service by implementing many new programs, including: flexiplace, a 360-degree performance appraisal system, new work/life programs (e.g., transit benefits), improved workspace in headquarters and the regions, and electronic customer access to ED information. The quality of these initiatives is reflected in the generally-positive results of NPR?s employee survey and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) customer satisfaction survey. In 2000, we will continue our improvement efforts by focusing work on areas identified by employees on the NPR survey as most in need of improvement: dealing with poor performing employees, streamlining the hiring process and improving travel management. With these efforts and others, I expect the satisfaction of ED employees and customers to continue to improve.

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